Added a Ford to the fleet!!!

[JustUsDe]

Well I bought my 3rd truck for my business. I had to add it at the last moment due to the number of contracts. Due to budget constraints I had to get an older truck. Now I can post on the Ford forum. I don't know much about Fords. Here goes with my first batch of questions.

I bought a 1995 Ford F150XLT 4x4 regular cab 8 foot bed 5.0 auto.

I noticed it had duel shocks on the front. What does that mean?
Here are some numbers I got off the door sticker.
front gawr 3125
rear gawr 3776
axle h9 what does that mean?
trans u What does that mean?
springs l4l What does that mean?

I am hoping to put either a western or fisher 7.6 plow on it and a fisher 1000 hitch spreader. I am going to put tibrens on it. Is there anything I should look for on this truck to try and fix before before the snow flies.


Ray

[cat320]

Ray you have one of each now chevy , ford and dodge.

[JustUsDe]

Also have one Meyer, One Western, and if the Fisher dealer gives me a good price, one Fisher. No one can say my business is not an equal opportunity company. lol

Ray

[BWAMX]

Ray ,
Like this site LOTS of answers.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

Quad Shocks came in the Tow package/ handling Package (6)Includes front/ rear stablizer bars; hd front springs;hd shocks & quad front plus hd shock absorber(Regular cab 4X4.)"

Also a little foggy but the axle gear code with a letter means posi
rear ! Yes
H9 = 3.55 3800 lb FORD LIMITED SLIP

Trans U = 4R70W (4spd auto with overdrive)

Springs No Luck Looking

I haven't used timbrens on anything but ProSnow and others rate them well, and the front ends of the 150s are a little light.

I would go with the Western if possible also a lighter weight unit
than the Fisher .

Hope this helps
Bob

[Joey D]

I would go with the air bag that fits inside the front coils. They work very well on the 150's and will do what the timbren does and more

[JustUsDe]

BWAMX,
Thanks for all the info. I guess I did pretty good picking out this truck. I think I am leaning towards the Western that way I atleast have 2 plows that are the same and have plenty of interchangable parts.

Thanks again,
Ray

[CNY Joe]

Hey Ray, Congrats on the new truck. You are growing pretty fast:cash

[W-n-K Landscaping]

Congrats on growing the business!!! Looks like things are looking good for you! hope your fortune continues long into the future!

Hey Joe- what are you doing in the Ford Forum? Aren't you a GMC man?;) Are you trying to keep that post count up? LOL-

:jk


Bill:grinz

[CNY Joe]

Bill, thought you were a Chevy guy. I must have been lost:headwall ...lol:D

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I was lost too- so I just followed your bread crumbs and they led me here!! LOL!! Just because I'm a Chevy guy doesn't mean I can't help out here! I've helped out a lot of my friends fixing their Fords - I usually have to help them get eheir parts since their truck is down!!! LOL!!!

J/K! I used to own a Ford- a pretty hyped up Ranger- you might say it was on steroids!!

302, with a c4 one step up torque converter and a shift kit with the tailshaft off of the previously existing c5. All bolted into an '84 Ford Ranger, had a custom dual exhaust, and then installed an 8' Western on the front of it! It stuck out almost 18" on either side of the truck! It moved alot of snow!!!!

Bill

[wyldman]

I would be carefull putting a plow on that truck.It has the TTB front end,which doesn't like to carry much weight.They end up cracking and\or breaking on the driver side axle beam.

Timbrens or airbags would be a big help.I prefer the Timbrens,as they never wear out,as the airbags sometimes leak.

Get a light plow,like a Snoway,as get as much weight as posssible off the front end.Relocating the battery(s) will help a lot.Mount the in the rear somewhere.Running some ballast will help pull weight off the front axle as well.A spreader and some material in the back works well for ballast.

You might want to look at adding a second battery,and maybe a bigger alternator,as those Ford's had pretty weak charging systems.

[JustUsDe]

wyldman,
Just the guy i'm looking for. I was already to take the truck to get inspected this morning and it wont start. It turns over real good. I can smell fuel. It acts like it has no fire. dist and rotor looked bad so ireplaced them. still not starting. It was real damp and foggy last nite and this morning. The truck ran good all weekend. not sure where to look now.


Ray

[wyldman]

If you smell fuel,then I would concentrate on spark first.


Pull the coil wire and check for spark there first.If you have good spark,it's probably the wires or plugs fouled.


If you have no spark,check for power at the coil.Key on you should have power on both sides.If you have power on one side only,the coil is bad (primary side).No power at all would mean you have a wire broken or fusible link burnt out.


Now crank the truck,and you should have pulsing power (test light should flash) on the negative side of the coil (green with yellow stripe I think).If your test light flashes,and you still have no spark,then the coil is bad (secondary side).If the test light just stays on,and doesn't flash,then the TFI module,pickup coil,or ECM is bad.I would doubt it to be the pickup coil or ECM,as if you smell fuel,then you would have an injector pulse,which means the pickup coil and ECM are OK.


Fords were bad for fusible links and splices rotting out on the drivers side,below the master cylinder area.Usually the large yellow wire that feeds a lot of the EEC related circuits and ignition.


One other thing to check,is to make sure the #7 and #8 spark plugs wires do not run beside one another.They will crossfire and burn a hole in the #8 piston from detonation.A lot of times you won't hear it.Take the #8 wire out of the wire clips,and run it straight back along the top of the intake,and then out over the back end of the rocker cover and down to the plug.This will prevent it from happening.Putting some of that black split loom around the wire will stop it from rubbing through on anything.


Also double check all the plastic vacuum lines running around the top of the engine.They were famous for cracking\breaking,or pulling out of the little molded rubber ends.


Check out that stuff first,and let me know how you make out.

[JustUsDe]

now get this i just tried the truck and it started. NOW WHAT? I know why i'm a chevy man now!!!!



Ray

[wyldman]

Check for codes,and see what comes up.You may find a code for erratic PIP signal,which would most likely be a TFI module.

Double check around the coil,for loose.corroded or broken wires(inside the insulation).You can start the truck and yank on the wiring harnesses to see if it stalls.Pull the grey connector off the coil and clean the female spades on the connector,and the corresponding males on the coil.Pack it with dielectric grease.

If you don't find anything,I'd change the wires,just to be sure.If they are going to cause problems,they usually do it in the middle of a storm.

[BWAMX]

Ray, My money is on the wires, Mine only last about 1 1/2 yrs max.
wyldman is THE walking text book.:D
When the wires on mine start to go it just starts harder.
Iv'e had a few TFI modules go and most of the time it was while it was running and would not start again.

Follow all his suggestions as it is all the little problems that crop up.

Don't worry go through it ,and maintain it and it will treat you well.

BTW How many miles on it?
I'm still on the original trans in my truck at 170 K

Good luck
Bob

[wyldman]

Hosing the salt off the engine and wires,and coating them with silcone spray will make them last must longer.

If it is the wires,get something better,like Accels,that have a lifetime warranty.I use them on our trucks,and just replace them ever year or two to be safe.I haven't paid for wires in years,all under warranty. :D

[BWAMX]

Pay for wires? NO WAY lifetime warranty here Also!

The Fords just run too hot and bake the wires I feel.
BTW how many exauhast manifolds do you go through up there?


Mine cracked back in '94 and I put on nickle plated headers
since they were the same cost as new manifolds back then.
No more cracks!

Chris what do you see for engine life out of the 351's in your area? 110k-120k ?

[wyldman]

We see a lot of cracked exhaust manifolds on those trucks.The newer updated ones are better,but they still crack.

The 351 isn't bad,I've seen a few high mileage (over 300,000 KM),if you can afford the fuel to run them that long.

[JustUsDe]

Thanks guys for all the info. After the truck started I took it to Moter Vehicle and got inspected. It passed with flying colors. I then went to my local Sears store and had an oil, lube and filter. I also had them check the brakes. The shoes were good but the drums were under spec and couldnt be turned so they were replaced. The front pads were just ok and the rotors were way under spec. So I got new rotors and pads for the front. The brakes feel real good. I could of gotten away with out replacing them now but I figured with a heavy plow and a spreader with material with different drivers it was in my best interest to take care of it now. This took all day so tomorrow I will go buy wires and plugs and check everything Chris listed. It is raining now and is supposed to all nite so I am curious if the truck will start in the morning. I first have to take my son to the doctor in the morning after I get out of work since he has been fighting a cold for a while. Then if it clears up outside I can start to work on the truck. I don't have a garage yet. Hopefully next summer. I noticed when I go to put the timbrems on it wont be as easy as my chevy. The old stops are rivited on.:(


Ray

[wyldman]

Ray

If your putting plugs in it,then only use Motorcraft (Ford),or Autolite (they make them for Ford).I have not had good luck using other brands of spark plugs.Use lots of anti-sieze too. :D

[FordPlow]

check the rear spring shackles and perches I just replaced them on my ford, my dad just did his too. I stopped to look at a 150 for sale and noticed his would need replacing too. truckspring.com has them for sale, I just got mine from the ford dealer ~$120 for both sides.

Dean

[JustUsDe]

wyldman,
I did buy autolites and a set of wires with a life time warranty. I haven't had time to put them in yet. The truck has started and ran with no problems the past 2 days.


FordPlow,
They look good. Matter of fact they got a good test today. I couldnt get a concrete truck today to deliver and wanted to pour a yard today and the concrete plant wasnt that far from my house. So I drove the ford up and had them dump it in it. It squated alot but it did the job. Salt spreader goes on it Dec.9th and the plow goes on Dec.16th. Then it can snow. I don't want any snow before that.

Ray

[AL Inc]

Ray- I had a 93 F150 which I belive is the same body style, etc. My truck actually had the 2900# FAWR. Being very inexperienced with plowing, I bought the truck and then realized it was probably too light for plowing. Anyway, I went ahead and had the 7'6" SnoWay installed along with Timbrens and heavier coils. Actually was a good plow truck for me, even through some very heavy storms. I drove the truck myself, and didn't beat on it, and it was fine. SnoWay was a good plow, too. Take good care of the truck and it should be fine. Congrats on your new contracts and expanding your business. Mike

[JustUsDe]

Well,
I replaced the wires and plugs. Truck runs great!!! They were the orginal wires and plugs. I have a small radiator leak. I will take care of it later. Not a priority. I picked the truck up this morning. I had a Western Utramount 7.5 standard plow installed. I had a Fisher 500 with varible speed control installed. I will post pics soon. I think they used and isolation module on this plow. I dont see any relays. I see this big unit with wires running to it. Also there are 3 wires to hook up instead of 2.
Here comes the questions:

The truck is hurting real bad in the front with the plow up. I called my local spring company I use to deal with alot when I raced. He said he can put super duty coils on the front for $320.00 He said they are the biggest for that truck. He said they are rated at 4000lb. He asked me how much height I needed and I said about 3 to 4 inches and he said they should do the trick. What do you think? Is the the best way to go and not spend a fortune?

I checked with Western Auto on alternators and their books show the stock one should be 95 amp They can sell me a 130amp with a lifetime warranty for 163.99 with trade in.
This should be ok?

I was first thinking of adding a second battery. No space under the hood. I was thinking of getting a marine case and putting the battery in the bed. Running a ground to the frame. Running the hot to the hot on the battery under the hood. How does that sound? I don't want to buy the alternator yet due to cash flow. But would like to get the other battery done this weekend if it don't snow.

Ray

[BWAMX]

Ray,
Looks like things are going good!
They use the isolation module with the ultra mount plows,
thats good, no loose relays, better connections.

As for thew springs, wyldman will know better, I have no experiance with timberns ,if that would work or not.

Is the truck for plowing only? then a stiff ride would not be to bad.

The alt should hold up, I killed my 1st one in 10yrs last winter .
Did you know that a good battery will last aprox 2hrs running the truck only and the plow for 2hrs?

It died at midnight and I swapped out 2 batts all night to get thru.

Other than that Iv'e had good luck alt/batt wise with 1 battery,
although when I stop, I let the truck run and charge with as little
on as possible.
I never added a 2nd batt because of the BS under the hood also.

Had a BAD 1/8 of snow that turned the roads to solid ice today
and it looks like winter will be here this weekend.

BOB

[JustUsDe]

WYLDMAN,
I need your input on the above questions. Here is a pic of the Ford.

[JustUsDe]

another

[JustUsDe]

spreader

[JustUsDe]

Here's one of both of the trucks on my new 20 yard drive I poured for them.

[wyldman]

Ray

Get the HD coils,and install a set of Timbrens,they will both be a big help.

That front end isn't going to like that heavy Western,so anything you can do to get weight off the front end will be a big help.

I would build a battery box,that you can mount in the bed,or on a frame rail to hold two big batteries.Group 31's are the best,and are very tough,as they are built for heavy trucks.Group 65 batteries are a little smaller,but still have good reserve capacity.You can then get rid of the stock battery up front (saves weight),and the two batteries out back will act as ballast.

Use welding cable to run from the batteries to an isolated battery stud (junction block) mounted under the hood somewhere near the starter solenoid.Don't use the starter solenoid as a junction point,as the heavy welding cable,the starter cable.and your plow wire will put to much stress on it,and it will break the solenoid (it's just plastic).

Since your doing some wiring,get one of those little automatic plug in battery chargers,and mount it permanently on the truck.Then you can plug it in just before,and after each run,to make sure the batteries stay fully charged.

Try that first,and see how it holds up.If your having problems getting through the night without running the batteries down,then it's time for a bigger alternator.Don't buy a high amp rebuild from a parts store.Get an alterstart,or a bigger case Ford alternator from a different application.If you need more info on the alt upgrades,let me know.

[JustUsDe]

Wyldman,

Just wanted to thank you for all your help. I am sorry it took a couple days to thank you but I have been real busy getting ready for the snow. Hopefully the springs will be installed tuesday. The truck did pretty good today but I still need them springs. Hope to make it out of this storm okay this weekend and get some loose ends wrapped up on this truck.

Thanks again,
Ray

[90plow]

Ray we need to see some new pictures :D I want to see your fleet in action :burnout
Eric

[JustUsDe]

Originally posted by 90plow
Ray we need to see some new pictures :D I want to see your fleet in action :burnout
Eric


Sorry for the delay in updating you. I had a company put 5500lb rated springs on the front. The truck now sits high in the front. They installed them and replaced all my bushings for $420.00. They said they can replace the back with 3/4 ton springs to raise the rear for $350.00. I havent had time to take them up on it but I hope to next week. I bought timbrems and havent had a chance to put them on but i really dont even need them. The truck has done great this winter. It has endured 5 plowable events and 6 salt runs. Here is a pick of it with its new springs

plow down

[JustUsDe]

plow up

[JustUsDe]

close up

[JustUsDe]

working

[JustUsDe]

still working

[JustUsDe]

cleaning up with the chevy

[snowplowjay]

HEY RAY


Looks good.


You've gotten lucky down there so far this winter ehhhhhhhh??


LET IT SNOW :)


Jay

[JustUsDe]

Well,
I made the appointment to get the new rear leaf springs on. I't will be done next wednesday. They are gonna put on new 6 leaf springs it now has 4. Cost will be around 350.00 for parts and labor. Hopefully it will raise the rearend up so it dont sit so low.


Ray

[Western22288]

JustUsDe,

i thought you also had a dodge 3/4 ton with a meyer on it? where are the pics of the?:D

btw nice looking fleet. glad the ford is working out good and best of luck with all of your trucks!:)

[90plow]

Lookin sharp Ray. The Ford looks like a new machine now with those heavy springs in, sits real nice. Thanks for keepin us posted.
Eric
:burnout

[JustUsDe]

I still have the dodge. I posted pics of it on the other site. I don't have any pics of it in action because I leave it on my Lowes site or the guy that runs it takes it home and the area it plows and the area that I ussually plow are about 1/2 hour away so I dont get to see it too much. The transfer case has to me replaced but its been doing ok with just 2 wheel drive. I have a friend that really wants to buy it from me. I think I might sell it to him in the spring.

Ray

Originally posted by MEYER22288
JustUsDe,

i thought you also had a dodge 3/4 ton with a meyer on it? where are the pics of the?:D

btw nice looking fleet. glad the ford is working out good and best of luck with all of your trucks!:)

[JustUsDe]

Thanks 90plow,
With the chance of snow this tuesday and wednesday it might not get the real springs done this week.

Ray


Originally posted by 90plow
Lookin sharp Ray. The Ford looks like a new machine now with those heavy springs in, sits real nice. Thanks for keepin us posted.
Eric
:burnout